UIUC
UIUC SAT and ACT Requirements
UIUC is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. The middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored 1310 to 1520 on the SAT and 30 to 34 on the ACT.
2026-27 policy
Test-Optional
SAT middle 50%
1310–1520
ACT middle 50%
30–34
Acceptance rate
42%
UIUC SAT scores by section
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 650 | 740 |
| Math | 660 | 780 |
| Total | 1310 | 1520 |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 34 |
The total is the sum of the section percentiles, the standard way to estimate a middle 50% for the combined score.
Where your score puts you
- Below 1310: lower than three quarters of enrolled students. A retake has the most upside here, and at a test-optional school you can also leave the score off.
- 1310 to 1520: in line with the class. The rest of your application decides it.
- Above 1520: higher than three quarters of enrolled students. Testing is no longer what holds the application back.
Keep these numbers
Frequently asked questions
Does UIUC require the SAT or ACT?
UIUC is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. 'Illinois is test-optional. You can choose whether to include ACT or SAT scores.' Applicants who omit test scores may need to submit an English-language proficiency test instead (international applicants).
What SAT score do you need for UIUC?
The published range is not a cutoff. Among enrolled first-year students, a quarter scored below 1310, half scored between 1310 and 1520, and a quarter scored above 1520. A score at or above 1520 puts you ahead of most of the class on testing; a score below 1310 works against you.
What ACT score do you need for UIUC?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 30 to 34 on the ACT. On the official conversion table that is an SAT 1370 to 1500.
Score ranges: College Scorecard API — U.S. Department of Education (api.data.gov) and Editorial overrides layer (overrides.json) — Common Data Set & institutional sources. They describe students who enrolled, not everyone admitted. Test policy: UIUC admissions, verified for 2026-27.